1. Assuming you’ll never need to look for another jobYou love your current job and that’s great. If you’re happy there and see a promising future, I hope you never have to leave. Nevertheless, you should always be prepared for the day you have to move on. Even if the boss loves you, things can change. Buyouts, economic disasters or changes in leadership can affect your employment. Continue to update your résumé while you’re employed so that you have an accurate record of your accomplishments.

2. Burning bridgesWe love the scenes in movies where the disgruntled employee finally tells off the boss and storms out of the office, only to live a happy, fulfilling life. In real life, these idols are probably unemployed because they don’t have good references, and no employer wants to hire someone with a tarnished reputation.

3. Keeping mum on your job searchMost people aren’t keen on being unemployed, and if you were laid off it’s understandable that you don’t want to spend all your time talking about it. But you need to network; it’s one of the most effective ways to find a job. A friend of a friend of a friend often gets you the interview that lands you the job — but that won’t happen if no one knows you’re looking for new career opportunities.

4. Looking for “The One”Although you want to conduct a focused job search, you need to keep an open mind. With any luck, you’ll land the perfect gig but sometimes you have to take a job that possesses most of the qualities you want — not all of them. If the pay is right, the requirements are in line with your experience and the opportunities for promotion are good, then you might have to overlook the fact that you have to wake up 30 minutes earlier than you’d like.

5. Not searching at allThis mistake probably seems obvious, but as anyone who’s been on a lengthy job hunt can tell you, discouragement is easy to come by.

6. No cover letterIncluding a cover letter is an easy way to play it safe during a job hunt. Although not every employer wants one, surveys continually find employers who automatically remove job seekers from consideration if they don’t include a cover letter. Why would you give any employer a reason not to hire you?

7. A generic cover letterThe only thing worse than no cover letter is one that could be sent to any anonymous employer. Starting with “To Whom It May Concern” and filling the page with phrases like “hard working” will signal the reader that you’re blindly sending out applications to every job opening you see.

8. Typos

9. All “me” and not enough “you”Your cover letter and résumé are definitely about you, but they’re not for you. Employers are only interested in you in the context of what you can do for them. Whenever you reveal information about yourself, use it as proof that you offer something to the company that no one else can.

10. Giving bad contact informationWhen hiring managers like what they see on your résumé and cover letter, they’re going to look for your contact information.

11. Running lateEvery boss wants an employee who is dependable and a good representative of the company. Someone who’s tardy to an interview is neither.

12. Dressing for the wrong jobAppearances matter in an interview, and you should dress for what’s appropriate in your field. Find out what the dress code is before you show up so you fit in with the company culture.

13. Griping about past employersKeep in mind that you’re not guaranteed to be with any company forever. When you talk trash about your last company, your interviewer’s thinking, “What are you going to say about me once you leave?”14. Not asking questionsOne quintessential interview question is, “Do you have any questions for me?” Sitting there silently suggests you’re not invested in the job. When you go to a restaurant, you probably have a few questions for the waiter. Shouldn’t you be just as curious about a new job?

15. Not doing your researchResearch for a new job involves two important subjects: the position and the company. Find out as much about the position as you can so you can decide if you even want it and you can position yourself as the best fit for the job.

16. Thinking the interview starts and ends in a meeting roomThe formal interview occurs when you shake hands with the interviewer and ends when you leave the room. The full process begins when you’re called or e-mailed to come in for an interview and it continues every time you converse with someone at the company.

17. Talking about money too soonAs eager as you are to land the job and cash your first paycheck, let the employer mention salary first. Broaching the subject first implies you’re more eager about money than about doing a good job.

18. Acting cockyYou never want to beg for a job, but you should act like you care about it. If your confidence level spills over into arrogance, you’ll guarantee no employer will want to work with you.

19. Being so honest you’re rudeNot every job will turn into a lifelong career, and you might have no intention of staying at the company more than a year or two when you interview.

20. Forgetting your mannersCommon courtesy can get you far, and in a job hunt you’d like to get as far as possible. After an interview, send a thank-you note (via e-mail or regular mail) to show your gratitude to the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

21. Stalking the hiring managerIf the interviewer gives you a deadline for hearing back from him or her, go ahead and call to see if a decision has been made. Do not call, e-mail and visit every day until you finally get a response — which will probably be, “You definitely did not get the job.”

22. Not keeping track of your applicationsBecause a job hunt can be a lengthy process, you should have a running list of where you’ve applied and whether or not you’ve heard back. Sending multiple applications to the same employer says, “I’m either disorganized or I’m just sending out bulk applications.”

23. Not learning from mistakes Look back at jobs you hated and try to avoid landing one of those jobs again.

24. Assuming you got the job Keep searching for work because the deal might fall through at the last minute or you might find an even better job.

25. Forgetting the lessons you learned during a job search Remember how important it is to maintain a network, keep track of your achievements and have good references. If you do find yourself looking for work again, you’ll have a much easier time.

These are all common sense ideas. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded.

Harriet was featured in an AP Syndicated article about Boomers and Dogs. She is the forever mom to Wrigley (lab/boxer/pit), Hazel (Schnauzer), Addison (lab/pit mix) and new pup (currently with no name- but, seriously cute).